Monday 22 April – Sunday 28 April

TWiSK #411

Music
Melanie C (DJ Set) @ Espy Gershwin
Songs for Suzanne: The Music of Leonard Cohen @ Memo

Theatre
The Grinning Man @ Alex
Things I Know To Be True @ Theatre Works
A Case for the Existence of God @ Red Stitch
Kazka – Ukrainian fairytales @ National

News
For sale! Massive development site in heart of St Kilda
Will governments that talk about affordable house make a bid?

St Kilda amateur photo competition
 
At last a plan for Albert Park sports upgrade

and more …

Council wants feedback on draft budget 24/25

2.75% rate increase (the maximum allowed)
2.72% rise in the default waste charge to $203.60
Most fees and charges increase 3.65 per cent


Dawn French @ Palais

Tuesday 23 April, Wednesday 24 April, Friday 26 April and Saturday 27 April, 7.30 pm
Funny, English, and Dawn French Is A Huge Twat. $89 +
TixTwo Legs Trivia @ St Kilda Sports Club
Tuesdays, 7 pm
Combining your two favourite things – drinking and being right. Free (not the drinking bit)
Poker @ St Kilda Sports Club
Tuesdays 7 pm
$25 entry, $10 pizza
A Case for the Existence of God @ Red Stitch
Wednesday 24 April – Sunday 12 May
This award-winning play (named one of the best of 2022 by the New York Times) leads audiences on a journey of intrigue and reckoning as the two fathers’ lives intertwine in a powerful narrative about what it means to be human.
Directed by Gary Abrahams and featuring ensemble members Kevin Hofbauer and Darcy Kent. $68/$48
Tix and info 
The King’s Player @ Alex
Wednesday 24 April – Friday 26 April, 8 pm
Medieval Europe.
Plagues, death, squalor.
The occasional disembowelment. General unpleasantness.
This solo performance brings 16 characters to life in an unforgettable show about fathers and sons, actors, success, poverty, Shakespeare and Elsinore. $45/$35
Tix 
Elwood Community ANZAC Day Service @ Elwood Sailing Club
Thursday 25 April, 8.30 am – 9.30 am
Foreshore in front of Elwood Sailing Club
The Grinning Man @ Alex
Thursday April 25 – Sunday 19 May, 7.30 pm some matinees
Following an extended West End run, The Grinning Man is a magical and macabre musical based on the novel The Man Who Laughs, written by the globally celebrated author, Victor Hugo (Les Miserables, The Hunchback of Notre Dame), and will make its Australian Premiere. $84/$60
Tix 

Jason Singh – 25 Years of Taxiride @ Espy Gershwin
Friday 26 April, 8 PM
Jason Singh, original founding member and lead singer of one Australia’s most iconic rock bands with his full band show 25 Years of Taxiride. $40
Tix

Soul Chisel – Jimmy Barnes Tribute @ Memo
Friday 26 April, 7 pm
Steve Callanan (The Voice), fronts an 8 piece band to take you on a journey through Jimmy Barnes Soul era, his solo career, and the legendary Cold Chisel years. $50/$40
Tix 
Jonnie Goes to Church + Davey Lane @ George Lane
Friday 26 April, 7 pm – 10.45 pm
Jonnie Goes To Church is Celia Church and Jon von Goes. Celia’s a singer from New Zealand, Jon’s a broadcaster from Melbourne. Celia writes the melodies and sings like an AM radio angel. Jon writes the words and sings like an FM radio broadcaster.
Tix 

The Eagles Story tribute @ Memo
Saturday 27 April, 7 pm
“a celebration of the iconic American rock band, The Eagles. With incredible attention to detail, the performers bring the band’s legendary music to life in a way that is both authentic and electrifying.” $50/$40
Tix 

Melanie C (DJ Set) @ Espy Gershwin
Saturday 27 April, 7 pm
A new definition of Old Spice – one fifth of The Spice Girls – most successful girl band of all time doing a DJ set. $54.90
Info and tix 

The Women’s Show 2024 @ Vivien Anderson Gallery
Ends Saturday 27 April, 6 pm – 8 pm
Exhibition until 27 April
The Women’s Show is Vivien Anderson Gallery’s annual exhibition of paintings, photography, ceramics, jewellery and sculpture by emerging and eminent Indigenous Australian women artists.
More info 
Songs for Suzanne: The Music & Poetry of Leonard Cohen @ Memo
Sunday 28 April, 3 pm
This show will see dazzling renditions of songs from the early albums by country outlaw Henry Wagons, Rebecca Barnard, the shape-shifting post-colonialist Delsinki, and the incredible talent of Alma Zygier (pictured). $95/$85
Tix 

Beachkeepers City Nature Challenge
Saturday 27 April, 10 am – 12 pm
Explore and discover the wonderful wildlife and local flora nestled in some of the oldest sand dunes of Port Phillip Bay. Be part of the City Nature Challenge; a global event where cities around the world are collaborating to share observations of the unique animals and plants that also call the city home. Free
Bookings
BUG and friends bike ride @ Bayside Coastal Indigenous Trail
Saturday 27 April, 10.15 am – 2 pm
Ride the Bayside Coastal Indigenous Trail to visit 15 sites with signs and sculptures representing the culture of the Boon Wurrong. Each site is based on stories authored by Boon Wurrung Elder, Carolyn Briggs. Free
Bookings 
Meet St Kilda Pier and cycle to Beaumaris (17km) and back.
Option to return via a train at Sandringham station.
Total ride distance: 34km. BYO lunch. Finish time: 2pm
Kazka – A tale of love, loss and a mysterious fox @ National
Saturday 27 April, 2 pm and 7.30 pm
A folk ballet production steeped in Ukrainian fairytales. The narrative follows themes of love, loss, betrayal, and the enigmatic presence of a blue fox, brought to life by a stellar cast of 30 dancers, including dynamic Cossack acrobatics. $55/$45
Tix 

Guided walk: Church Organs @ Uniting Church & Presbyterian Church
Sunday 28 April, 1 pm – 3 pm
Experience the music and history of two Fincham and Hobday church organs in two heritage St Kilda churches, walking from St Kilda Uniting Church (1875) in Balaclava to St Kilda Presbyterian Church (1885) on Alma Rd. With organist Rhys Arvidson. These book out quickly! Free
Bookings
Remembering our fallen @ St Kilda Cemetery
Sunday 28 April, 1.45 pm for 2 pm start
Tour led by Clair Barton. $5 members / $15 public
RSVP 0448 740 195 gkp@netspace.net.au
Ensemble Gombert @ All Saints
Sunday 28 April, 3 pm
An Eastertide program of Renaissance music directed by John O’Donnell. “A Renaissance Eastertide” with music by Gombert, Morales, Lassus, Richafort & Heinrich Isaac’s Missa Paschale à 6. $25/$20
Bookings 

Later in May

Fabulous Frogs with EcoCentre @Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve
Friday 3 May, 5.00 pm – 6:30pm (Sunset is at 5.31pm)
Learn about the frog species that live at the reserve, how to listen and recognise a frog species by its call and participate in monitoring the local frog population.
This is a family friendly event. All welcome. BYO Torch, comfortable shoes and clothing.
Free
Bookings
Introducing the Degrowth Movement @ U3A Saturday zoom seminar
Saturday 18 May, 2.30 pm – 3.30 pm
Degrowth is a lifestyle, a call for system change and a rapidly expanding international movement. Politicians aim for about 3% GDP growth per annum, which is a doubling every 23 years. This growth is killing the natural environment that keeps us alive. Presented by Terry Leahy, a sociologist and environmentalist. Free
Info and link

Massive St Kilda development site up for grabs
Will supporters of social and affordable housing make a bid?

This is big. This is zoned mixed use. This is a golden opportunity crying out for a credible, socially valuable development.
9,199 m2, 12 adjoining titles across 4 street fronts (Barkly, Carlisle, Greeves and Vale Streets)
Located opposite the National Theatre and covering 12 adjoining addresses including land currently housing the pool hall, gym, Pet Barn and more (fronting Barkly Street), Delica Meat Supply and others (fronting Greeves Street), Carlisle Contemporary Health Practice and former backpackers / hot sheet motel (fronting Carlisle Street) and Access Car rental and Artful Yoga Gallery (fronting Vale Street).
Who will step up?
Will Council, State and Federal Governments be part of a consortium to bring much needed social and affordable housing (and other uses) to this amazing location?
Watch this space
Selling agent’s website 
Note story below: Council recently forked out $38.8M on a single open space purchase in Port Melbourne.

Be snap happy and win
Open to all amateur photography enthusiasts

Entries close 1 May
Promoted by the Acland Street Traders, The “St Kilda, My View” Photography Competition celebrates the diversity of our community and the different faces of St Kilda.
All amateur photographers are invited to enter one photo based on the theme “St Kilda, My View” which means you need to take and submit a photo taken within 3182/3183 that also says something about who you are – it could speak to your background, your heritage, your culture, your hobby, your passion, what you care about etc
There are voucher prizes up for grabs to spend in Acland Precinct for under 16s and 17 and over – $350 first prize and $150 second prize – plus, if you’re one of 20 finalists, you’ll be featured in an on-street gallery, hanging in one of our shop windows for everyone to see!
Details and T&Cs 
Make sure to read the Ts and Cs

At last – a real plan for sport in Albert Park
Have your say before 12 May

“For less than the Government  spends annually on the GP, the Park could be fixed for community sport for an entire generation.”

Parks Victoria (PV) has released a long-awaited draft plan for community sports in Albert Park Reserve for public feedback. It recommends works across almost every sports field and pavilion over the next decade.
Hugo Armstrong, Albert Park Sports Clubs Association President, told TWiSK that “[the report] backs up what the local community has been telling PV and the State Government for years – that beyond the blank cheques for the GP, Victoria’s biggest community sports precinct is pitifully underfunded, in poor condition, and unable to meet current and future demand.
“Once the plan is finalised, sports clubs will be lobbying every political party to commit funding. For less than the Government spends annually on the GP, the Park can be fixed for community sport for an entire generation.
“Anyone interested in local sport in Port Phillip should read the draft plan and provide feedback this month”.
Read the report and comment BEFORE 12 May

Draft council budget released for your say

Headlines
2.75% rate increase (the maximum allowed)
2.72% rise in the default waste charge to $203.60
Most fees and charges increase 3.65 per cent
Pensioner rates rebate increases 4.8 per cent to $220

Key dates
Community feedback open until 13 May
Special council hearing Wednesday 14 May
Council will approve budget Wednesday 26 June

Let the Council election year argy-bargy begin

Inflation, cost of living pressures, rate caps and a council election year are set to combine in a perfect storm of ‘interest’ in this Council budget.
Council, like households, businesses and community groups, are facing budget short falls as costs rise and inflation erodes purchasing power.
This is the context that surrounds the draft budget for 24/25, now out for community feedback until 13 May.
There will also be a public hearing at Council on 14 May.
Fractious and testy debate at first opportunity
No sooner had Councillors voted unanimously to send their much-considered plan and budget out for consultation, they started to disagree vehemently about a swag of eleventh-hour amendments.
With elections looming in October, councillors proposed and voted on a series of  changes that served as ‘proxies’ for widely differing points of view.
Points of disorder
At stages in this first debate, the proceedings bordered on farce with repeated petty points of order disrupting the comments of various councillors. Although this Council (like most others) agrees on most things, they are passionate about the things they differ on. These last-minute amendments read like a search for points of difference in the upcoming election.

The budget amendments were ….

$250K extra for St Kilda Festival – carried
Supporters argued that this was ‘backing a winner’ and ‘keeping up with inflation’. The opponents argued that the Festival should work within a budget, just like other programs.
For: Crs Crawford, Martin, Baxter, Bond, Pearl, Nyaguy (corrected 22 Apr – error in Council minutes)
Against: Crs Clark, Sirakoff, Cunsolo

$119K extra for EcoCentre programs – carried
Supporters argued that the extra monies would be good value following the funding of the new $7M EcoCente which will open later this year. The extra funds will maintain programs against inflation and enable the Centre to open on weekends for an 18 month trial.
For: Crs Crawford, Baxter, Martin, Cunsolo, Nyaguy 
Against: Crs Pearl, Bond, Clark, Sirakoff

CCTV funded by council – carried
A tricky “open cheque” motion proposed that council fund CCTV renewal and upgrade over the next two financial years because attempts for external funding (read State Government) have so far been unsuccessful. The opponents Crs Baxter and Nyaguy argued it was clearly the State’s responsibility.
For: Crs Clark, Crawford, Martin, Cunsolo, Pearl, Sirakoff, Bond
Against: Crs Nyaguy, Baxter

$10 per day increase in Long Day Care fees – carried
An increase in long day care fees of $10.00 per day from $147 to $157 representing a 6.8 % increase. Not popular but necessary said supporters.
For: Crs Bond, Pearl, Clark, Sirakoff, Cunsolo
Against: Crs Crawford, Martin, Baxter, Nyaguy

$250K to support renters in Port Phillip – lost
Cr Nyaguy proposed a late motion to give financial support to organisations supporting renters. This was by far the most fractious debate with opponents arguing that it was too vague, ill considered and not the role of local government.
For: Crs Crawford, Baxter, Martin, Nyaguy
Against: Crs Clark, Bond, Cunsolo, Sirakoff, Pearl

Asking the next council to allocate $1M pa to social housing – lost
The proponents Nyaguy/Baxter noted that Council’s annual $500K commitment to social housing ends next year, so they wanted it to double the commitment to $1M for a decade from 25/26. The opponents said that was up to the next Council.
For: Crs Crawford, Baxter, Martin, Nyaguy
Against: Crs Clark, Bond, Cunsolo, Sirakoff, Pearl

$90,000 to trial methods of saving the iconic palms from Fusarium Wilt disease – carried unanimously
Protecting the iconic palms was something that every councillor could support. (How it was not in the budget was not explained)
For: Crs Clark, Crawford, Martin, Cunsolo, Baxter, Bond, Pearl, Sirakoff, Nyaguy
Against: Nil

Have your say on the Draft Budget and plan  at the Council website before 13 May

Budget ‘spicy’ bits

Hey big spender …
85% of new public space spending went to one purchase …
…in Port Melbourne.

“Budget 2024/25 capital works expenditure of $115.9 million has significantly increased due to the $45 million capital commitment to purchase land as per Council’s public space strategy.”
The unprecedented capital expenditure in 24/25 is dominated by the $38.8M purchase of an Australia Post site in Port Melbourne for conversion to open space – this represents about 85% of the increased expenditure.
Council is tight lipped about other open space purchases but has indicated they will probably be in Balaclava and St Kilda East.
FYI Council is expecting to earn about $1.75M per annum for two years on the Aussie Post site until the posties relocate.

Interest rate windfall supports ‘positive’ result
Surplus doubles from last year

While mortgage holders are feeling the squeeze of interest rates, the cash savvy Council has enjoyed a higher than predicted income from interest paid on reserves – a whacking $4.6M.
The high interest income, parking revenue and delayed operating portfolio spend (including operating spend on capital projects) helped Council to predict a healthy recovery in operating surplus.

Container deposits add up – there’s money in recycling at last
Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) to earn $330K

Council earned $72,000 from the new Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) scheme in November and December last year. Council has budgeted $330,000 including GST income for CDS collected in our kerbside recycling bins for 2024/25.

Meanwhile ….
Inkerman Street Safety Improvement Project
“Wet signature petition” raises hot issue

Also at Council.. 
A petition from residents and traders concerned about the proposed Inkerman Street Safety Improvement Project petition containing 1,306 signatures was received by Council.
Talking to the petition, local Jaz Bradley said that the pen on paper petition was harder to collect but enabled a wider of variety of people to participate. She said it reflected the depth of feeling and concern about lack of access.
Council will make a decision on the project on 15 May.

Council election 2024
Vital information